Yugoslav President Fires Army Chief

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, June 25, 2002

Yugoslav President Fires Army Chief

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President Vojislav Kostunica fired the chief of Yugoslavia's army Monday, but the former ally of ousted strongman Slobodan Milosevic refused to step down, setting up a showdown that could threaten Yugoslavia's stability.

The split with Col. Gen. Nebojsa Pavkovic further eroded the authority of Kostunica, who is embroiled in a power struggle with his main rival, Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic. Serbia is Yugoslavia's dominant republic.

Kostunica was forced to fire Pavkovic by presidential decree after Yugoslavia's Supreme Defense Council refused to support the general's dismissal.

In a statement carried by the Beta news agency, Kostunica said he replaced Pavkovic to ensure "civilian control over the army" and "democracy," and "because he (Pavkovic) believed that he is above the army and above the state."

The general initially dismissed the decree as "illegal and meaningless," but later qualified his stance, lessening chances of a violent confrontation.

Pavkovic said he would file a complaint to the Yugoslav federal parliament "and seek legal protection" indicating a challenge to Kostunica.

"He (Kostunica) has practically decided that my service ends as of tomorrow, as if I were the greatest scum in this state," Pavkovic complained.

But, pending a decision on whether his removal was legal, he said he would not oppose his replacement, Gen. Branko Krga, "in performing his (new) duty."

By refusing to accept Kostunica's decision, Pavkovic was clearly hoping that pressure by Djindjic and his other allies would allow him to keep his position.

The dispute between the president and the powerful general could lead to more instability in a country only slowly emerging from years of crisis.

Condemning the move, Djindjic said Kostunica would "bear responsibility for the consequences of his decision, which has destabilized the reputation of the state."

(Agencies)

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